DCI Digital Newsletter Volume 3 Issue 2
|
|
From the East coast to the West coast, our DCI Board of Directors:
|
|
From Left To Right:
Chairman
Dave Powell
(Atlantic Grocery Distributors), Vice-Chairman
David La Mantia
(La Mantia's Country Market), Treasurer
Nigel Oliver
(Vince's Country Market), Director
Cori Bonina
(Stong's Markets), Director
Tony Cataldi
(Cataldi Fresh Market), Director
Robert Galati
(Galati Market Fresh), Director
Craig Cavin
(Island Independent Buying Group)
|
|
A Message From Barry Lanteigne, DCI Vice President
|
|
The Board of Directors and myself would like to thank our DCI Members, Supplier Partners, and Industry Partners for your ongoing continued support! I would like to take this time to thank the Board for selecting me to represent Independent Grocers Across Canada! I am truly passionate about my role and am proud to represent a group of incredibly hard-working individuals that are passionate about representing their relative businesses and communities! I would also like to thank Todd Newstead for the solid transition and the ongoing mentoring and support over these past few months!
The First Quarter of 2019 has been a busy time for our team! Our team has been focusing on Business Reviews with our members and supplier partners, new member and supplier partner onboarding, and planning for this year's 2019 Summit that will be held on June 20, 2019(Sheraton Toronto Airport), and our Annual Charity Golf Classic on September 16, 2019 (Crosswinds Golf and Country Club).
2019 Summit
To date we are almost sold out of DBX rooms and will be focusing on member recruitment for the Month of April. Once the member and vendor lists have been completed, each group will have the ability to select who they would like to see in the DBX meeting. This information will be generated in the month of May and the meeting lists will be distributed to the Members and Vendors at the end of May giving both groups time to prepare for the meetings.
2019 Charity Golf Classic
Save the date as we are projecting to have a full tournament this year! The two events were separated this year to accommodate the feedback that we had received by our Members and Supplier Partners from last year's event. We look forward to seeing you all there!
New Members & Partners
At this time, I would like to welcome Commisso’s Fresh Foods back to DCI, who were an original founding member of our group! As well, we welcomed a new Supplier Partner for 2019: Healthy Berries Ltd. We are also in the final stages of negotiating agreements with the following: Monterey Sales, Balcorp Ltd, Clik Clik Systems, CJR Wholesale, & Diamond Packaging and Supplies. Agreements for these will be completed in the next month and communication will be sent out once completed!
Merchandising Opportunity
If anyone is interested in participating in providing our members with monthly specials (DCI Monthly Merchandiser), please reach out to me to discuss in more detail. I have had some suppliers interested in participating, but would like a few more to confirm to make this great opportunity for our members!
As always, I am here to support our members and supplier partners. Please reach out to me as required and I will be more than happy to help you in any way possible! I can be reached at 905-681-3933 or
barry@distributioncanada.ca
Thank You!
|
|
ELECTION TIME!
During the Annual General Meeting at the DCI Business Summit, the elections for a new Board of Directors commence and a new Board of Directors are ratified.
If you or someone you know that comes from a retailer with an active DCI membership and are interested in becoming a Director of the DCI Board, please let us know.
Board Directors must be committed to engaging through Board meetings, attend DCI events and have time to participate in board-duties to ensure that our members are adequately being represented on behalf of independent grocers across Canada. For more information, please contact
barry@distributioncanada.ca
.
|
|
|
|
Left To Right:
Vicki Bexis
(Sun Valley Market
)
,
DCI Board Director and Past Chair '08
Robert Galati
(Galati Market Fresh),
Past DCI Board Director '16
Jim Bexis
(Sun Valley Market
)
,
Past DCI Board Director and Past Chair '14
Pete Cavin
(Country Grocer - Island Independent Buying Group)
|
|
New Memberships and Supplier Partners
|
|
DCI has continued to focus on the onboarding of a new vendor partner in support of our members.
The new vendor is:
Stay tuned for more Supplier Partner agreements currently in negotiations! All information will be posted onto the DCI Intranet Portal.
|
|
Retailers, Stay Informed With DCI!
|
|
Retailers, have you logged into the DCI Shareholder Intranet Portal yet?
What does the portal provide?
- new supplier partner agreements
- new programs and promotions
- revised supplier partner agreements and rebates
- your shareholder rebate reports
- the DCI by-laws
- archived newsletters
- summary of volume rebates
- AGM information
|
|
Register Now For The DCI Business Summit 2019
|
|
Where? Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre
Learn. Network. Engage. Celebrate.
The DCI Business Summit is a full day conference that focuses on the needs of the independents, and their business relationships with the DCI Supplier Partners. Not only does it serve as the DCI Annual General Meeting, it is also a day of reconnecting with business partners, networking with new business leads, learning industry related news relevant to the Independents, category overviews on some of our most used products and brands, and recognizing the individuals and companies who are striving to make the Independent industry better every year.
Event Highlights:
|
|
>> Afternoon Business Session Speakers & Category Insights
|
>> DCI Star Awards Gala Dinner
|
|
<< DCI Shareholder AGM, Board Elections, and Annual Financial Statements
|
<< Cocktails & Product Showcase
|
|
Back by popular demand, the DBX brings retailers and supplier partners into a series of face-to-face discussions with important trading partners! The DBX guarantees networking opportunities with private and focused business meetings in one location with business partners from coast to coast. Sign on early to arrange the optimal meeting line up for your business. We encourage you to bring your key decision makers, including your key account executives, buyers and category managers to make the most out of these strategic business appointments.
You can only find the DBX at the DCI Business Summit!
|
|
RETAILERS!
Now is the time to register to the DCI Business Summit to ensure that you can participate in the DBX program! Only the first 24 retailer companies who register can participate!
|
|
DCI Summer Home Run Blue Jays Promo is on its way!
|
|
DCI has partnered with Weston Foods and Maple Leaf Foods for its 3rd year in running the successful 'Summer Home Run Blue Jays Promo'. We are excited to see how this year's programs and POS displays will look and to see which retailer will win the Grand Prize Blue Jays Experience!
|
|
For more information about the program:
click here
!
SUPPLIER PARTNER?
If you are interested in running a promo or contest with DCI and the independent retailers, please email
matthew@distributioncanada.ca
|
|
Save The Date - DCI & CFIG Charity Golf Classic 2019
|
|
NETWORK, ESTABLISH NEW BUSINESS LEADS, & TRY PRODUCT SAMPLES WHILE HELPING A LOCAL CHILDREN'S CHARITY -
VARIETY ONTARIO
.
|
|
The 3rd Annual DCI & CFIG Charity Golf Classic will be a collaborative event initiative between Distribution Canada and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. Independents and Supplier Partners are encouraged to come out and network, engage in new business leads, enjoy on-course and take-home product samples, and compete in several hole contests sponsored by various Supplier Partners and grocery industry media companies.
SUPPLIER PARTNER? We are still looking for product coupons, hole product sampling and hole sponsorship.
Email
matthew@distributioncanada.ca
for more information!
|
|
DCI teamed up with Canada Bread for the "Summertime Sizzler" promo for Summer 2018! Independents across the country set up displays that resembled a 'backyard BBQ' feel using Canada Bread POS material. Ballots were awarded for best displays and product sales with the Grand Prize winner receiving a $2500 travel giftcertificate and an additional cheque with the value of $500 to be used to provide a local family with free groceries to be bought at the store!
|
|
Left To Right: Chris Rutsey (Canada Bread), Heather Marcotte (Canada Bread), Nigel Oliver (Vince's Country Market), Barry Lanteigne (DCI)
|
|
Congratulations to Vince's Country Market for winning
the DCI & Canada Bread's Summertime Sizzler Promo!
|
|
What a Great Show @ GSFW 2019!
|
|
CFIG President & CEO Tom Shurrie, along with Chair, Christy McMullen; Gary Sands, Sr. VP, and Ron Welke, vice chair, officially open the GSF 2019 show.
|
|
Grocery & Specialty Food West (GSFW) is Western Canada’s premier grocery exhibition and conference that encompasses everything from the front end to the back end in the industry. Each year’s show features hundreds of products and services. Retailers and manufacturers can connect to network, identify new business opportunities as well as gain insights into the industry’s best practices and trends, both local and global. The 2019 GSFW show took place on April 1-2nd, 2019 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Thank you to all who visited DCI at Booth #6 at GSFW!
|
|
From Our Supplier Partners
|
|
Myth and Reality About Juice
|
|
Myth:
All juice contains added sugar
Reality:
Nothing but natural fruit sugar ‒ that’s what’s in 100% fruit juice and juice blends.
Under Canadian and American law, only beverages made from fruit, and nothing but fruit, can make the “100%” claim and mention “100% fruit” and/or “no sugar added” on their product label.
So why does this still widespread myth persist? It derives from confusion about the various types of fruit-based drinks. The regulated term “juice” is sometimes used to refer indiscriminately to juices, cocktails, nectars, punch and fruit drinks.
However, there are differences between all these products, including the variety of processes used to manufacture them, the ingredients they contain, and the different tastes they appeal to. These differences can be summarized briefly as follows:
Nectar is made from the pulp or purée of certain fleshy fruits, such as peach, mango, or guava, and it has a smoother texture. Sugar is added, except in the case of prune nectar.
Fruit punch, fruit cocktails and fruit drinks are made using water and contain varying amounts of real juice. They have added sugar and may also contain added flavours, colours and/or vitamins.
Why is sugar added to these types of fruit-based drinks?
Canadians ‒ and Americans even more so ‒ prefer sweet beverages. Elsewhere in the world there are people who love juices with an even sweeter taste and thicker texture. Cultural factors also influence taste.
But tastes are changing in North America. Consumers are increasingly concerned with how food affects their health and wellness. Conscious of this salutary trend, manufacturers are significantly reducing the amount of sugar added to cocktails, nectars, punch and fruit drinks. They are giving consumers new healthy options such as flavoured water, infusions, and coconut water, among others.
|
|
Coppa's Opens 'Market 63' in Downtown Toronto
|
At the end of February 2019 Coppa's opened a downtown Toronto location called 'Market 63' located near the Scotiabank Arena. The 20,000 square foot store maintains a trendy vibe while sticking to the original qualities of a Coppa's store such as fresh meat, bakery and a great amount of fresh produce. While Market 63 boasts a
dry-aged beef cooler, extensive selection of cheeses, and a bakery where 90% of the product is made in-house, it also serves a sit down, full service restaurant called Nonna Francesca’s Ristorante specializing in South Italian cuisine.
|
|
Western Foods Goes #ZeroWaste
|
Western Foods has teamed up with
Zero Waste Sooke
to provide an eco-friendly initiative to combat wasteful single use plastic bags. They have launched a new insulated option to their bags and are promoting the hashtag #ZeroWaste on their social media. It's BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag!
|
|
|
Farmboy Brings Back 'Cookies With Care' Program
|
Farmboy had recently brought back their 'Cookies with Care' program where a $1 of all proceeds
will support nutritional education and programs at local hospitals
such as: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation, Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation, Lakeridge Health Foundation, Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation, Kids Inclusive, Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation, Grand River Hospital Foundation, Sick Kids, London Health Sciences Foundation, Children's Health Foundation, Etobicoke General Hospital, Oakville Hospital Foundation and the McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation! Great job Farmboy and congratulations on
opening your 28th store location at Leslie & Lakeshore Toronto
!
|
|
Galleria Supermarket Raises Over 24k for their 'Share The Love' Campaign
|
|
With over fifty five Galleria suppliers and partners donating a portion of their profits from December 2018, Galleria Supermarket's 12th annual 'Share The Love' donation campaign brought in over $24,000 which helps local community charities. Since its launch in 2007, the annual campaign has raised a grand total of $233,914.
Click here to read the featured article
.
|
|
Where's The Beef? Meatless Alternatives on The Rise
|
"
Growing demand for healthier, more sustainable food is one reason people are seeking plant-based meats. That’s also the reason behind rising sales of oat milk, cauliflower pizza crust and even coconut oil-based makeup."
Snippet Credit: Canadian Grocer
"
Many years ago, conversations about food were about flavours, tastes and traditions. Today, we talk more about morals and values linked to how we consume food, simply because we can afford to do so. Stock markets are on a tear and the unemployment rate is almost at an all-time low. Food is not just about survival — it’s also about making a socio-economic statement as much as a moral one. At social gatherings, some are now made to feel as though eating meat is a crime."
Snippet Credit: Canadian Grocer
"
Maple Leaf Foods is building a US$310-million plant-based protein facility near Indianapolis...The company–one of Canada’s largest food processors, with a focus on chicken, pork and prepared foods–started investing in plant-based protein produce in a small way four or five years ago."
Snippet Credit: Canadian Grocer
"Dr. Sara Celik identifies some of the sweet spots retailers can address to educate and engage consumers around the benefits of a plant-based diet."
Snippet Credit: Grocery Business
|
|
If you would like to submit news from your company (Retailers & Supplier Partners) or would like to feature an ad (Supplier Partners) please email
matthew@distributioncanada.ca
Click below to stay connected with DCI!
|
|
On behalf of the DCI Management Team, Happy Spring to you and your company! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us!
Barry Lanteigne - Vice President:
Michele Vermeltfoort - Administration & Accounting:
Matthew Brown - Events, Communications & Technologies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
